TEHRAN – The rate of women’s literacy in Iran has improved over the past 3 decades to reach 78 percent in 2007, Mohsen Emadi, Iran's representative of the third committee of the UN General Assembly, reported here on Wednesday.

This shows a tripling in the literacy rate from 1976 when it was only 25 per cent, rising to seventy-six per cent in 1997.

In recent years, girls outnumber boys in higher education and the involvement of women in sociopolitical affairs has significantly increased during the past decade, he added.

Women also have an 18 percent share in the national economy, Emadi maintained, briefing the committee on the country’s achievements and progress made in women’s spheres.

Iran's policies aim at the improvement of the overall situation of women, enhancing their participation in the economy and society and ensuring gender equality.